Clara Barton was an American educator, nurse, clerk, and an activist. She is an important historical figure because she founded the American Red Cross in 1881. The American Red Cross helps people during natural disasters and during wars. The organization is still active helping people in need as recent as the victims of Superstorm Sandy. This topic relates to the theme Turning Points in History: People, Ideas, Events because if Clara Barton had not founded the American Red Cross, millions of people would be without help during wars and natural disasters. Her idea changed the way the American people look at helping others. It was a turning point in history because it was founded by a woman after the civil war. She also gave respectability to the profession of nursing.